Grass root strategies - Guinea WOrm Malaria

The Guinea worm eradication program in Ghana, in collaboration with Red Cross women’s clubs, successfully reduced Guinea worm disease through health education and community involvement, particularly by training women volunteers to monitor cases, distribute water filters, and treat water sources. The initiative led to a dramatic decrease in cases, from over 179,000 in 1989 to the last indigenous case in 2010, despite challenges like ethnic conflict and water supply issues. Women volunteers proved especially effective due to their role in household water sourcing, a critical factor in preventing disease transmission

program highlly effective

179,000 cases in 1989 to last indigenous case in 2010

health education was most important even in places with literacy rates of

20%

Breakdown in water supply in

Savelugu 2006-2007

breakdown causes significant outbreak of

1,500 cases

male volunteers less effective due to

women’s primary role in sourcing household water

Carter centre provided

Nylon tubes filters, cheap

Over 9 million mass distriutied by

Carter centre

Northern Ghana ethnic fighting

Disrupted efforts in highly endemic areeas

War prevented worker educating the women who

were main source for household water